What Are The Ongoing Costs Of Running A Spa Pool?

Considering buying a hot tub? It’s easy to get swayed by discounts, deals and marketing jargon. But be extra careful about the practical aspects of running a spa pool so you’re not stuck with big bills to pay off each month.

A good hot tub can be depended on for excellent performance, straightforward maintenance and energy efficiency. In order to find this in a spa pool, you have to look past the initial price tag to consider routine running and maintenance costs of the model. There are some practical points to consider when shopping around for a hot tub.

Model and design of your hot tub

Spa pools are available in a range of different designs, materials and models. Factor in the function and key features that you’re most keen on (like the seats or number of jets). Remember that a high-end hot tub with quality design and engineering may be expensive upfront but the running cost and maintenance will make up for this. For example, good quality insulation will go a long way in reducing your energy bills in the long run. 

Power efficiency

One of the most popular marketing points for pool spas is the running costs. Be aware that companies often highlight the energy efficiency of just one of the hot tub’s features. But to be really energy efficient, the overall design and function needs to be addressed as well. Some points to consider: 

• How much energy does the pump use?
• What is the insulating material and how effective is that?
• Is it accompanied by a tight-fitting spa cover? This helps in temperature regulation.
• How much energy is consumed when the hot tub is in use (for the jet sprays and lights)

The upfront costs as well as the everyday running costs are both important. A hot tub that is expensive to run is bound to burn a hole in your pocket and put you off using it often. In turn, infrequent use of a hot tub will actually push up your maintenance costs. 

Water care systems

How much does it cost to fill your tub? This depends on where you live and how big your tub is. You will need to choose a water system that will decide how much it costs for the upkeep with sanitiser and other additives. Banking on a good quality water care system (even if it’s a bit more expensive initially) will pay off in the long-term by ensuring clean, healthy pool water with straightforward maintenance needs. 

Routine maintenance 

This will depend on whether you’re going to be maintaining the pool yourself or will hire someone to do it for you. Well-maintained spa pools will offer a better experience and last much longer. Some tasks like testing the water, rinsing the filter and cleaning the hot tub cover should be done on a weekly basis. Account for the cost of the equipment you will need to carry out maintenance including water sanitiser, additives and cost of replacing filters. There are some cleaning agents that are not safe for use to clean a hot tub and can compromise water quality. Suppliers will be able to help you with a list of approved pH balanced cleaning solutions. 

Additional considerations that contribute to running costs of a spa pool:

• How often you will use the tub and how many people will be using it?
• The temperature you set the water at
• The water quality system and the materials needed to maintain it
• The amount of water required to fill your tub
• A good quality, tight-fitting hot tub cover
• Hot tubs are more expensive to run in the winter than in the summer, what is your climate like?

Ready to browse your hot tub options?

At Sutton Spas we aim to give you maximum value for money and offer you a range of hot tubs that are made right here in the UK. Since we entered the market twenty years ago, we’ve been committed to helping each customer find the spa pool model that perfectly matches their needs. We invite each of our customers to take the ‘wet test’ to experience the product before making a purchase. Our BISHTA trained team also ensures that each purchase is backed up excellent customer service and expert maintenance advice. Contact us on 0121 827 1881 to discuss your options.